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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Adding Some Sparkle To Your New Year's Eve

There aren't many times of the year when you can get away with going full-on glam with your makeup—unless of course you work as a showgirl. But for the rest of us normies, New Year's Eve is one of the few days of the year when we're encouraged to get our sparkle on. For the lady looking to add a bit of glitz to her beauty routine to ring in the New Year, I've got a few tips on how to shine bright like a diamond.

Let me begin by filling you in on a little secret: I'm not a big fan of glitter in makeup. I know, I know. How can I do a post on Sparkling on New Year's Eve without including glitter? I'm not cutting it out completely but I think to keep things from looking like a 3rd Grader's science project the use glitter should be limited. The one place I do think you can have lots of fun with glitter—and not necessarily look like your mom still cuts the crust off your sandwiches—is on your nails.

Your nails are almost like a beauty accessory and because of that it can be fun to go full-glitter on them. When you move your hands as you gesture or hold a glass your tips will catch the light and the attention of others. This month I've been rocking Deborah Lippmann's 99 Luftballoons all over my nails. Three coats give you nails that look like you're an honored guest at Barbie's birthday party. I realize I'm sounding a bit contradictory. Is it juvenile or is it cool—a little from column A and a little from column B, but a whole lot of fun.

If you want something a bit more refined but still with a flash of glitter you can use a simple nude color as your base, like Zoya's Chantal, and ombre the tips of your nails with a silver or gold glitter polish. The gradient effect will give you just the right touch of sparkle on the ends of your nails and make them look like they've been dipped in pixi dust. Plus, gold and silver are so classic that they go with whatever outfit you might be wearing when the clock strikes midnight.

In terms of your face, it's probably best to limit shine to one area to not blind other party-goers with your sparkle. If you want a base that glows, you can use a luminizing primer like Pixi's Flawless Beauty Primer to give your skin a lit-from-within glow. If your skin is on the oilier side like mine, it might be best if you just highlight certain points on your face (cupid's bow, inner corner of your eyes, cheekbones) to avoid getting too shiny throughout the night. I like the Doll 10 H20Glo Highlighter in Champagne,

If you want to highlight your cheeks without actually using a separate highlighter, your can use a blush with a hint of golden shimmer, like TheBalm's Hot Mama Blush. It gives you a beautiful, light-catching flush that really shows off the contours of your cheeks.

My favorite way to play up the sparkle for a night out is with my eye makeup. If done right it can make your eyes appear bigger and even make them appear to glow or change color. I'm definitely not a fan of glitter eyes-shadow—too many opportunities to end up with glitter in your eye or all over your face—but I love using metallic or shimmering eye-shadows to catch and reflect the light.

Just keep in mind that when it comes to glitter and sparkle, it's about choosing the right areas to highlight in the way that works best for your face/style/outfit. Try limiting yourself to one key area to play up. Your goal is not to look like you're a disco ball, but to harness some of your very own sparkle. Most of all, enjoy yourself. The night is all about beginning a new chapter and celebrating with those you love, so have fun with your look!

What are you all wearing this New Year's Eve? Any big plans? Staying in or going out?